Key Takeaways
Microsoft Updates Teams: In September, new camera and PTZ controls are introduced to improve the video conferencing experience. In September, intelligent meeting summary notifications with key takeaways are coming to the Teams activity feed. In September, Microsoft also brings Python support to Excel and Copilot AI search capabilities to improve productivity.
Another week has passed, bringing us more highlights in our weekly update on the latest and greatest developments in technology. Also worth noting are the recent additions made by Microsoft to its roadmap website last week. The Redmond tech giant announced a slew of new Microsoft 365 features on its roadmap site, as the company does every week.
We announced notable changes across many Microsoft 365 apps and services, including Microsoft Teams, Copilot, and Microsoft Excel. We wanted to recap the upcoming changes and how they will impact your productivity.
3 Microsoft Teams: Native camera control, native PTZ control
Microsoft introduces new features to Teams every month, and not only that, but also gives users advance notice of features that are currently in development. Last week, the company listed several new Teams features that are currently in development and scheduled to be released in September.
Native Camera Controls
One of the more notable upcoming Teams features is support for new built-in camera capabilities. The idea is simple: when support launches in September, Teams Rooms on Windows will be able to control certain camera features like native “Group Framing”, “Active Speaker Framing” and “Edge Composition IntelliFrame” (Feature ID: 409537), eliminating the need for additional software from the camera OEM.
Native PTZ camera control support
Teams users can adjust camera zoom and orientation using PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) camera controls in Teams Rooms on Windows. However, currently a PTZ camera control app is required to fine-tune these settings. Starting in September, these control options will be available natively in Teams Rooms on Windows (Feature ID: 409534). Native PTZ controls will initially be available for connected cameras with mechanical/optical PTZ. Support for devices with digital PTZ will be added in the future.
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Intelligent meeting summary notifications in your activity feed
If you miss something important in a meeting and want to review the key points discussed during the meeting, Intelligent Meeting Recap in Teams is a great option. In September, it will become even more useful as it will provide easier access to key meeting outcomes. Microsoft plans to introduce notifications and banners in the Teams activity feed when Intelligent Meeting Recap is ready (Feature ID: 408529).
Microsoft doesn’t force users to do this, and if you don’t want Intelligent Meeting Recap notifications, you can turn them off in Teams settings. However, if you find the feature useful, you can configure your settings to receive notifications in banner alerts or activity feeds.
Sensitivity label support for town hall meetings and webinars
Another notable feature coming to Teams in September is sensitivity label support for town halls and webinars. Event organizers can choose and assign appropriate sensitivity labels based on their requirements (Feature ID: 409226). Teams will also notify event organizers if the sensitivity labels don’t match the event details.
2 Copilot for Microsoft 365: Search functionality
Microsoft is in the process of building AI into all of its core apps and services. However, to get the benefits of Copilot in your Microsoft 365 apps, you will need to pay for the feature. Once you pay, you will be able to use Copilot to find answers and add them directly to your workbooks without leaving Excel (Feature ID: 406555). This feature will be available in Excel desktop, Mac, and web clients in September.
1 Microsoft Excel: Python Support
Microsoft has been working on adding Python support directly to the Excel grid for a long time. The company continues to prepare this feature for primetime, recently introducing it to Microsoft 365 Beta users. And that day isn’t far away: Microsoft has announced that Python formulas will be broadly available to Excel users next month (Feature ID: 406770).
Related: How to combine Python and Excel to power your spreadsheets
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Release schedule subject to change
The features listed above are expected to be released in the coming months, although it’s always possible that Microsoft might postpone some to later months. However, you can expect Microsoft to announce details about even more new Microsoft 365 features in the coming weeks.
